'It's just a completely different landscape': how divisive U.S. politics are changing life in one border town

The two cities of Sault Ste. Marie are separated by an international border and the St. Marys River, but it's long felt for the people who live there as one community, whether they live in Ontario or Michigan. 

But for some, the divisive and tense political atmosphere on the other side of the border has made them think of their neighbours differently.

"It makes me apprehensive about wanting to go over there as much," said Angela Caputo, a city councillor in Sault Ontario.

She remembers going to bed on the night of the presidential election in 2016, thinking Democrat Hilary Clinton had it "in the bag." 

"I think it was the first time I ever cried over an election," Caputo said.

For those four years, she says she was "very nervous" to make the quick trip over to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, which she often did in the past for shopping or to eat in a restaurant.

"I had no desire to go into the states. It had turned quite ugly," Caputo said. 

"I don't want to be in a country where my black friends or my Indigenous friends or my Puerto Rican friends are going to be treated less than I am because I am a white person. I don't like that."

James Armstrong goes across the international bridge every day to work as a physician assistant at a hospital in Sault Michigan.

The 59-year-old grew up in Sault Ontario, now lives in Richard's Landing on St. Joseph Island, but before lived in Massachusetts for 30 years. However, he is surprised at how polarized the U.S. has become.

"It's just a completely different landscape and I think I would feel that it was completely different no matter what state I was in," said Armstrong.

He says at work he's found it's best to "stay away from politics" when chatting with patients.

"That has to be done carefully, because some patients are more sensitive to that than others. Patients have commented that it just affects them so much more than it has in the past," Armstrong said. 

But he says he's found people in northern Michigan to be extremely friendly and polite, recalling a patient who thanked me profusely for his treatment while wearing a "F--K Biden cap."

"I like that feeling because it keeps me centred and gives me more solace when I start to feel my own blood pressure go up when I see what's happening on the political landscape," Armstrong said. 

Like Canada and the U.S., the economies of the twin Saults are closely tied together.

Jason Naccarato, the president of the chamber of commerce for Sault Ontario, says "staying neutral" is important, but that his members feel that it's vital the new U.S. bring bring "certainty to the economy and certainty to policy."

"Those wild swings in currency and exchange rates could have a significant impact on our businesses and what we're looking for is confidence and stability," he said.

Naccarato says Donald Trump's trade policies were far from predictable during his first term, when sudden tariffs imposed on Canadian steel led over 100 layoffs at mills in Sault Ontario.

But he says he's been happy to see the would-be Republican president focusing more on China when speaking about tarrifs during this campaign, although Trump has said he would impose 10 per cent across-the-board tariff on any goods coming into the U.S.

Naccarato says businesses on the Ontario side are happy border security is a top issue in this election campaign, even if it's mostly about Mexico.

"You know, a strong border, a secure border, a very predictable border is something that is welcomed," he said.

"Take drugs and guns off our streets and that could have a positive affect on crime rates in Sault Ste. Marie."